whaaa happened?

i'll start by saying that i am so proud of each and every Burninator. i've been lucky enough to participate in tournaments with the Burninators in previous years, and every time, win or lose, it's been an unbelievable experience. i keep saying that hockey has provided me with the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, but it's true. and it's been so important to me through the years. there's varying skill levels between all the players on the team, but everyone is truly a joy to be around. i enjoyed the company of the "usual" cheering section: Red, Gerald, Thunder, and Chris' mom. we were joined this year by Travis and his parents (who came to cheer on Jodi) and many members of other teams from the bay area.

we enjoyed arriving at the rink early or staying late to cheer on our friends from other teams - especially Blacklist and the B.A.Dolphins. "my" team played great in all three guaranteed games and they were 3-0 headed into the championship game. that was the ultimate game and team performance - everyone contributed and the team really gelled between games 1 and 4. Chris was amazing in goal and an early goal (a beauty!) by Viv held up for a 1-0 win that resulted in the Burninators winning the Wynn division.

other highlights from the trip:

• Val telling me that dolphins poop while they swim
• Val saying "it's gonna be a big one"
• the Staybridge Suites - highly recommended!
  *minus screaming baby and parents who seemed not to care about their child's welfare
• a group of "men" disgracing their uniforms by being drunk and not quite disorderly, but definitely not orderly, leading me and Lucinda to growl "oh, i'm so drunk!" over and over
• fun car rides with Viv, Bluepoof, and Lucinda
• hanging out with members of Blacklist and the B.A.Dolphins
  
• brunch at the Wynn: it's 2 for 2.
• all-tournament play by Becky (officially recognized), Lucinda (officially recognized), and Chris (not recognized by the tourney but definitely by all of us).
• MVP play by Viv
• a beautiful forehand deek and backhand goal by Liz
• a breakaway with shot by Jean, celebrated by everyone in the crowd
  
  

good times, Burninators. thanks for letting me tag along this year - hopefully i'll skate next year and will be able to hang with the level of play should we move up a division.